David C. Fowler papers, 1936-1992

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Fowler, David C., 1921-
Title
David C. Fowler papers
Dates
1936-1992 (inclusive)
Quantity
approximately 41.84 cubic feet
Collection Number
1696
Summary
Chiefly textual materials of a former professor of English, author, and university administrator at the University of Washington
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Access restricted: For terms of access contact repository.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

David Covington Fowler was born in Louisville, Kentucky, January 3, 1921, the son of Earle B. and Susan (Covington) Fowler. His early education was in the public schools of Kentucky. He later attended the University of Florida, where he received a B.A. degree in 1942. In 1943, Mr. Fowler married Mary Gene Stith of Irvington, Kentucky (the couple had two daughters, Sandra and Caroline). Also in 1943, Mr. Fowler entered the military, and served as a Naval Reserve Lieutenant in the Pacific theatre in World War II, during one period of which he commanded a ship—Submarine Chaser 1320. After the war, Mr. Fowler returned to his education, this time at the University of Chicago, where he received an M.A. degree in 1947 and a PhD. In 1949, having specialized in Old and Medieval English language and literature.

Dr. Fowler began his professional career at the University of Pennsylvania as an Instructor in English (1949-51). In 1952 Dr. Fowler came to the University of Washington and served as an English instructor, 1952-53; as Professor of English until his retirement in June 1987. During his stay at the University, he has held several administrative positions: Associate Dean of the Graduate School, 1960-62; Head of the Graduate Programs for the English Department, 1966-98: Chairman of the Faculty Senate, 1966-67. He has also served for many years on the editorial board of the Modern Language Quarterly, published by the University.

Professor Fowler was a noted researcher, textual critic, writer and teacher in Old and Medieval English and European literature. His dissertation was the first critical edition of the earliest version of the Middle English poem Piers Plowman. He went on to publish other Books on Piers Plowman (1952, 1961, 1992); the Perceval of Chretien de Troyes (1959); a literary history of the English ballad; the Bible in medieval English literature (1976, 1984); and John Trevisa (1993, 1995, 1997). He was also a noted authority on folksongs and popular ballads in the history of English literature, and is himself an author of folksongs. Among various recognitions of achievement, Professor Fowler has received the John Billings Fiske Poetry Prize (at the University of Chicago in 1947), the Scholars Award by the American Council Learned Societies (in 1951-52), and a Guggenheim Fellowship (1962-63).

One important event which should be called to attention concerns Prof. Fowler’s involvement He was a central figure in the “Bible as Literature” Trial. A 1966 a lawsuit that was initiated by two Seattle ministers to prohibit Dr. Fowler and others at the University of Washington from teaching English 390, The lawsuit was finally decided, in favor of the University, by the United States Supreme Court. David Fowler died on May 10, 2007. Professor of English, author, and university administrator at the University of Washington, by the United States Supreme Court.

David Fowler died on May 10, 2007.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Consult the scope and content information for each of the accessions listed below.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Consult the restrictions governing reproduction and use for each of the accessions listed below.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Organized into 6 accessions.

  • Accession No. 1696-001, David C. Fowler papers, [Information not available]
  • Accession No. 1696-002, David C. Fowler papers, 1936-1970
  • Accession No. 1696-003, David C. Fowler papers, 1968-1975
  • Accession No. 1696-004, David C. Fowler papers, 1974-1982
  • Accession No. 1696-005, David C. Fowler papers, 1982-1986
  • Accession No. 1696-006, David C. Fowler papers, 1952-1992

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Accession No. 1696-001: David C. Fowler papers, 1966-1971Return to Top

.42 cu.ft.

Scope and Content: Correspondence, newspaper clippings, depositions, finds, and court transcipts.

Restrictions on Access: Access restricted: For terms of access contact repository.

Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Acquisition Info: David C. Fowler, 1971-08-25

Description
David C. Fowler papers

Accession No. 1696-002: David C. Fowler papers, circa 1906-1970 (bulk 1936-1970)Return to Top

16 cu.ft.

Scope and Content: Biographical features, correspondence, financial and legal records, speeches and writings, conference and convention files, notes, subject files, circa 1906-1970 (bulk 1936-1970).

Restrictions on Access: Access restricted: For terms of access contact repository.

Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Acquisition Info: Professor Fowler, 1974-05-17

Description
David C. Fowler papers

Accession No. 1696-003: David C. Fowler papers, 1959-1977Return to Top

2 cu.ft.

Scope and Content: Correspondence, speeches and writings, committee files, conferences and conventions.

Restrictions on Access: Access restricted: For terms of access contact repository.

Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Acquisition Info: Professor Fowler, 1979-03-01

Description
David C. Fowler papers

Accession No. 1696-004: David C. Fowler papers, circa 1974-1982Return to Top

11 cu.ft.

Scope and Content: Correspondence, speeches and writings, notes, conference files, "ballad papers,".

Restrictions on Access: Access restricted: For terms of access contact repository.

Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Acquisition Info: Professor Fowler, 1982-08-01

Description
David C. Fowler papers

Accession No. 1696-005: David C. Fowler papers, 1982-1986, 1993Return to Top

4 cu.ft.

Scope and Content: Correspondence, writings, conference files, subject files, committee files, 1982-1986. Copy of "Suche Werkis to Werche: Essays on Piers Plowman in honor of David C. Fowler" (1993).

Restrictions on Access: Access restricted: For terms of access contact repository.

Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Acquisition Info: [Information not available]

Description
David C. Fowler papers

Accession No. 1696-006: David C. Fowler papers, 1952-1992Return to Top

8.42 cu.ft. (9 boxes)

Scope and Content: Correspondence, course files, writings, students' dissertations and writings, subject series.

Restrictions on Access: Access restricted: For terms of access contact repository.

Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Acquisition Info: David C. Fowler, 1993-03-25

Description
David C. Fowler papers

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • University Archives/Faculty Papers (University of Washington)

Personal Names

  • Fowler, David C., 1921- --Archives
  • Miller, Thomas W
  • Oppenheimer, J. Robert, 1904-1967
  • Trevisa, John
  • Webb, Harold

Corporate Names

  • American Academy of Religion
  • Medieval Association of the Pacific
  • Modern Language Association of America
  • Society of Biblical Literature
  • University of Washington. Board of Regents
  • University of Washington. Department of English

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • Adams, John F (creator)
    • Adolf, Helen (creator)
    • Bloomfield, Morton (creator)
    • Calder, Daniel (creator)
    • Fowler, Earle B (creator)
    • Gasque, W. Ward (creator)
    • Gethyn-Jones, J. E (creator)
    • Hard, Wayland O (creator)
    • Heilman, Robert Bechtold, 1906-2004 (creator)
    • Jeffrey, David L (creator)
    • Kim, Hack Chin (creator)
    • Knott, Thomas A (creator)
    • Magoun, Francis Peabody, 1895-1979 (creator)
    • Matchett, William H., 1923- (creator)
    • Perry, Aaron J (creator)
    • Stevick, Robert D (creator)
    Corporate Names
    • American Academy of Religion-Society of Biblical Literature. Pacific Northwest Joint Chapter (creator)
    • Chaucer Review (creator)
    • Fuller Theological Seminary. Seattle Extension Program. Steering Committee (creator)
    • International Arthurian Society. American Branch (creator)
    • Medieval Association of the Pacific Conference, UW (creator)
    • Modern Language Quarterly (creator)
    • Port Townsend Summer School of the Arts (creator)
    • United States. Navy (creator)
    • University Presbyterian Church (Seattle, Wash.). Adult Education Committee (creator)
    • University of Chicago (creator)
    • University of Washington Press (creator)
    • University of Washington. Ad Hoc Religious Studies Committee (creator)
    • University of Washington. College of Arts and Sciences (creator)
    • University of Washington. College of Arts and Sciences. Ad Hoc Religion Committee (creator)
    • University of Washington. Department of English. By-Laws Committee (creator)
    • University of Washington. Department of English. Dissertation Reading Committee (creator)
    • University of Washington. Faculty Senate (creator)
    • University of Washington. Graduate Admissions Review Committee (creator)
    • University of Washington. Graduate School (creator)
    • University of Washington. Libraries (creator)
    • University of Washington. Press Committee (creator)
    • University of Washington. School of Communications. Director Selection Committee (creator)
    • University of Washington. Task Force on Faculty Personnel Policy and Practice (creator)
    • University of Washington. Telecourses Office (creator)
    • University of Washington. Undergraduate Program Study Committee (creator)
    • University of Washington. University Archives